I've been getting tons of inquiries about my DIY Video Content and Discoverability workshops here in Edmonton, so I thought I'd pop in and answer some FAQs, as well as tell y'all a little bit more about what goes on at the workshops - and why you need to attend one.

So, what actually happens at these workshops?

In a three-hour workshop, we'll tackle a lot, including:

Choosing the right camera (to suit your budget and needs)

Lighting and audio (how to make them better on a budget)

Composition and editing (dos and don'ts and quick tips from a professional point of view)

Social media strategy for sharing video (spoiler alert: you can't share it once and walk away)

Tricks for improving discoverability (how do you actually get your video seen?)

Plus you get to ask me whatever you want in the Q&A at the end.

Now, some of the most frequently asked questions I've gotten about the workshops:

How much experience do I need to attend a workshop?

You don't need to have any experience with making video to come to this workshop! All you need is a willingness to learn and an interest in developing video content. Chances are you have a smart phone - with a couple small additions/pieces of equipment, you'll be ready to start making video. So please don't feel like you need to have gear and/or experience to sign up.

Remember: this is a workshop on DIY video content. This is simple video content anyone can create. We'll also talk about when you need to hire a professional. It takes years of experience to become a professional.

Will you teach me how to use my camera?

I can definitely teach you how to use a camera...but not in a three-hour workshop. What I will teach you is the basics of composition, and how to choose a camera that's right for you (which may mean using anything from a smart phone to a DSLR). If you'd like to hire me for some one-on-one training to get more comfortable with your camera, contact me directly so we can chat about schedule and pricing.

Will you teach me how to edit?

Again, folks, editing isn't something you can learn in a three-hour workshop. I mean, yes, I could probably walk you through the basics of editing software in three hours, but...

Everyone uses different editing software, so I'd have to use different vocabulary and instructions for each person

The entire workshop would have to be editing, and I want to give you a more holistic approach to your video content

Also, please remember: shooting and editing aren't things you learn overnight. At the risk of sounding purposefully vague, you may be able to learn how to do them, but it takes a long time to really do them, to find your eye, your style, your voice, etc.

Or, as photographer Annie Leibovitz puts it (much more eloquently):

"You can have the best equipment and it doesn't help if you can't see. It takes years to understand how to see."

What we will talk about is basic editing tips, things to avoid, editing tricks that will keep your audience happy, and more.

Are you gonna talk about Facebook Live?

You bet! We'll be talking about all different types of video, from edited pieces to Instagram stories and Facebook Live.

Are you gonna tell me to spend a ton of money on gear?

No. Again, this is about DIY video, not producing feature films. I'm going to tell you about some equipment that will up your game significantly, and show you a bunch of options at different price ranges to attain said equipment.

When is the next workshop? I missed the first one and I REALLY want to attend!

First of all, the next workshop will be announced soon.

But you have another option, too! Have a group of fellow business owners/social media managers/content developers who are interested in making better video? Gather them and book a private training. I have a six person minimum. Once you've got a group of six or more, you can schedule me for a date and location that work best for you.

As a lifelong writer with two degrees in the field, I hate to say it, but words take more time and effort than video. You can convey to your audience in a 90-second video what may take you a short article to explain in words. And you can grab someone's attention much quicker with a strong visual than you can with a headline. (Especially now that we're in the age of brutal clickbait titles for everything.)

The digital space is a busy one. It's teeming with words and ads and info. Getting your story across in a succinct, visually appealing, emotionally gripping way (whether the emotion is excitement, fear, anticipation, romance, etc.) is going to do you good.

2. It's authentic.

Did I mention the digital world is teeming with words? It's also teeming with highly curated, often disingenuous personas that belong to both people and brands. And while yes, you can decorate a fancy set and make your business (or life) seem more sumptuous than it is, it's pretty difficult to fake personality if you're not a highly experienced actor.

Video is a great way for people to see you - eye to eye - get to know you, and connect with you. And in the age of social media, that face to face connection can be absolutely priceless. I think that the authenticity of that behind-the-scenes glimpse into a business, brand, or organization is what really captures people's attention - and hearts.

3. It's effective.

The bottom line is, videos works for you. Social media algorithms love it, and, as a matter of fact, favour it. And it's been proven again and again that it gets a lot more engagement than written words or even photography. (And keep in mind that these stats are on the rise...at a rapid pace.)

Ready to start creating killer video content to up your digital marketing game in 2018, but not sure where to start? Check out my Five Tips for Great Video Content. Before you panic, know this: you don't have to kick things off with a giant film production. Start with a goal, and then figure out what steps you need to take to crush it.

Ready to collaborate with a professional to achieve your video goals? Get in touch.

Thanks for reading! Love this article? Hit the "share" button below to spread the word.

A perhaps little known fact about me (though not if you follow me on Instagram): I love photography. When I was a teen, my mom and brother taught me how to use an SLR (yes, in the days of yore, when film was the thing), and as soon as I had saved up enough money, I bought myself a DSLR (some time had passed) in preparation for a huge solo trip to England, Scotland, and Ireland.

I packed a film camera too - for good measure - and returned from a month of travels with over 35 rolls of film and thousands of digital photos. I haven't stopped taking photos since.

Photography is a huge part of my professional life, too. Beyond taking photos to feature on my own website and social media, I do a ton of portrait and detail photography for my podcast, That's So Maven! Taking photos so regularly for the podcast (and getting asked by many of the guests if I'm up for hire) has really inspired me to take the leap and start offering photography services to my clients.

Okay, so truth be told, it's not much of a leap, per se. I know there are a lot of people in my life who are going to read this and say, "finally!!" But it's a new change and I'm very excited for it.

You need video content, period.

It's 2017 and video is everything on social media. If you don't believe it, you really don't have to look much further than an infographic like this one, or articles like this, which are being published every day. Video gets ten times more shares than other content, and many social media channels are now giving it special preference. Video content on Facebook has such strong reach that a lot of businesses and brands are even trying to "hack" the system, sharing still photos as videos just to reap the benefits (side note: don't do this - it's just annoying).

So, in the age of video content, what makes for great video content?

Here are my Top Five Tips for Great Video Content:

1. Know what kind of video you need

What's going to help you reach your goals? What ARE your goals? Are you trying to spread awareness? Sell product? Teach your clients?

Knowing what you want to get out of your video is absolutely crucial to its success. I can't stress this enough. In fact...

2. Plan first, shoot second

Or as I like to say, plan first, second, third, fourth, fifth...and shoot tenth.

The last thing you want is to spend your time and money on a video that doesn't actually do anything for you, or that leaves you wising you could do a re-take on your interview or voiceover. Before you shoot, make sure you know what your goals are, what you want to say, and that you have a plan for the final product. This is all accomplished by a briefing/concept meeting with your videographer and/or editor.

And speaking of hiring a professional to do your video...

3. Pay for quality

Do you always need a professional to make video? No. Not if you're doing quick Facebook Live content, or if you're shooting super casual videos with your iPhone to share on Twitter or Instagram Stories.

But when it comes to videos with marketing goals, trust me on this one: hire a professional.

Note the difference:

(Note: Absolutely no shade intended at the YouTube video on the left - I just needed an image to show what a video shot on a laptop cam/iPhone with no lighting or framing looks like, so I grabbed a screen cap at random.)

Not only does a professional videographer know about lighting and composition, your producer and editor (note that these may all be the same person, which is what happens if you hire me and many others) is a storyteller. Making you sound good and getting the right message across in an engaging and effective way is their job. It's the difference between an unprofessional video full of "ums" and "uhs" and a concise, compelling video that reaches your goals.

Almost every time I deliver a final cut to one of my clients, they say, "You asked me just the right questions and got me to say just the right thing - you totally captured who I am!" That's two writing degrees, over a decade of experience as both a professional writer and director, and six years as a video editor. I can take 30 minutes of interview footage and turn it into a fantastic 90-second video. Telling stories is what I've committed my entire life to doing. It's what I love the most.

As with many things, video is definitely a, "You get what you pay for" situation. Beware the person saying they can make you a great video ad for $100. That amount of money wouldn't even cover the rental on a basic lighting kit.

But at the same time, you can have incredible video content and no success with it if you don't...

4. Strategize your sharing

You can't just order a viral video off a menu (though back in the day, when I worked at an advertising agency, we had many clients try). The internet is a very busy place. It's not an "if you build it, they will come" situation. So before you spend good money on developing video content, make sure you know what you're going to do with it. This strategy should be tied into the same conversation you have to set goals for your video(s). And it should definitely involve more than, "we're gonna put it up on our website."

Remember that it takes a number of mentions for people to catch on to something - or even just to see it (damn you, algorithms). Have a strategy ready to get the most out of your video content.

5. Be yourself

It sounds simple, but it's so important. Video is the beautiful golden gateway to creating a strong, human connection with your audience online. If you're not genuine, your video will fall flat. So embrace your nerves, your unique facial expressions, and that cowlick in your hair, because all of those things are what will make your audience like you that much more.